Q: I just started two months ago in the pre-finished hardwood flooring industry. I just saw your column and am interested in some advice. Specifically, I am finding it difficult to measure the moisture content of wood consistently. We have three moisture meters and they do not agree - an in-line meter, a pinless meter and a pin-type meter. Our lumber includes red oak, white oak, hard maple and hickory. Using said moisture meters, we get readings from 4 to 17 percent, but none of them agree with each other. What is the best equipment/consultant on the market for our needs?

Q: We receive mouldings from Europe in a variety of species. We use the mouldings to make picture and mirror frames and find that because the wood is 6 to 12 percent MC (and even 14 percent MC at times), the corner miters are opening up. So, what can we do about this problem?

Q: I have just found a source of rough-sawn lumber from overseas. Are any great differences between domestic and foreign lumber with the same name? I have bought some maple and beech and it seems to have different coloring.